BEFORE we proceed with the details, here’s why our lawmakers and no less than two former finance ministers have been talking about 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) in recent weeks: the intriguing sovereign wealth fund that is 100%-owned by the Ministry of Finance has some explaining to do about t...

Why Malaysians should be worried about 1MDB’s debts

Coffee futures fell for a third day as the market digested a wave of US tariffs against the world’s top producers.

Coffee declines on threat of demand blow from Trump tariffs

Wall Street fell sharply for a second straight session on Friday, pushing the Nasdaq towards a bear market, after China imposed fresh tariffs on all US goods in response to the Trump administration's sweeping levies, escalating a global trade war.

Nasdaq heads towards bear market as trade war worries grow

Copper plunged more than 5% to trade below US$9,000 (RM39,913) a ton, in the biggest drop since July 2022, as worries over the impact of a worsening trade war sparked a heavy selloff in industrial metals and mining equities.

Copper plunges more than 5% as tariffs hammer metals and miners

The European Union (EU) is realistic about what near-term deliverables the bloc’s chief trade negotiator, Maros Sefcovic, can attain when he begins talks with his US counterparts on Friday about President Donald Trump’s far-reaching tariffs.

EU begins US tariff talks while accepting end of old world order

China retaliated against Donald Trump’s latest tariffs with commensurate levies on all American goods and export controls on rare earths, dealing a fresh blow to global markets and prompting the US president to quickly deride Beijing’s reaction as the “wrong” move.

China hits back at Trump with tariffs, limits on key exports

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index was set to confirm it was in a bear market on Friday, down more than 20% from a recent record high, as investors fled riskier assets on fears that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump could spark a trade war and tip the global economy into recession.

Nasdaq set to confirm bear market as Trump tariffs trigger recession fears

Gold prices fell more than 1% on Friday as traders liquidated their bullion positions following wider market sell-offs, after China's retaliation with fresh tariffs against US President Trump's sweeping levies.

Gold slumps as traders liquidate positions amid wider market selloffs

The US economy added far more jobs than expected in March, but President Donald Trump's sweeping import tariffs could test the labour market's resilience in the months ahead amid sagging business confidence and a stock market selloff.

US labour market shows resilience before trade tensions escalation

Canada’s labour market unexpectedly weakened in March, shedding the most jobs in more than three years.

Employment fell by 33,000 positions last month, pushing the jobless rate up 0.1 percentage point to 6.7%, Statistics Canada reported on Friday.

Canada loses 33,000 jobs, most since 2022; bonds rally

The initial technical report on the cause of Tuesday’s gas pipeline explosion and fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, is expected to be ready in two weeks.

Initial report on Putra Heights fire to be ready in two weeks — police

President Donald Trump said he was open to reducing his tariffs if other nations were able to offer something “phenomenal,” indicating that the White House was open to negotiations despite the insistence of some top officials.

Trump open to tariff cuts in return for ‘phenomenal’ offers

China retaliated against Donald Trump’s latest tariffs with commensurate levies on all American goods and export controls on rare earths, dealing a fresh blow to global markets and prompting the US president to quickly deride Beijing’s reaction as the “wrong” move.

Residents of Karpal Singh Drive in Georgetown, Penang, have called on the state government to halt a proposed 70-acre coastal reclamation project, part of the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation, citing concerns over its impact on marine ecosystems, particularly the Middle Bank.

Karpal Singh Drive residents urge state government to halt land reclamation for Jelutong Landfill project

Mr DIY Group (M) Bhd (KL:MRDIY) said its founder Tan Yu Yeh will relinquish his role as the executive vice chairman of the home improvement retailer, effective April 17.

Yu Yeh, 54, is giving up the position as he intends to take on the role of adviser to the group, said Mr DIY in a filing with Bursa Malaysia on Friday.

Mr DIY founder Tan Yu Yeh relinquishes vice chairman post, to serve as adviser

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Twenty-five&nbsp;victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire received a car each from Chery Malaysia for their use for a month on Friday, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

25 Putra Heights fire victims lent first batch of Chery Malaysia SUVs for a month on Friday

Following the US Liberation Day’s reciprocal tariffs announced on April 3, 2025, the Madani government stands firm with the view that reciprocal tariffs do not serve the principles of free and fair trade stipulated under the World Trade Organization, of which 164 countries, including the US, is a member. The government also refutes the claim by the US authorities that Malaysia has imposed 47% tariff on US imports into Malaysia.

Malaysia refutes 47% US import tariff claim, takes measures to prioritise well-being of businesses and people

Malaysian banks could take a hit from the set of sweeping US tariffs if economic activity decelerates and drags on loan growth while disrupting firms’ cash flow, CIMB Securities warned on Friday.

US tariffs may weigh on Malaysian banks’ loan growth, raise provisions — CIMB Securities

It’s not just about trade. Neither is it an isolated act. It is part of a broader trend where tariffs are no longer mere trade tools, but geopolitical weapons.

The weaponisation of tariffs and the new era of coercive trade

The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) has called on the government to urgently set up a council to lead national-level mitigation efforts in response to the US' imposition of a 24% tariff on Malaysian exports, warning that up to 50,000 Malaysian jobs are at risk if the issue is not addressed immediately.

50,000 Malaysian jobs at risk, business chamber warns as it calls for urgent US tariff mitigation council

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): US President Donald Trump’s introduction of a 24% reciprocal tariff on imports from Malaysia has thrown a spanner in the works for tech companies. However, industry players remain confident that local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups will weather the storm...

Trump’s tariffs: Malaysian tech SMEs will face immediate pinch, but Asian ties will aid recovery — industry players

SINGAPORE (April 3):&nbsp;Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is poised to extend anti-graft commission head Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term, people familiar with the matter said, despite criticism by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the appointment process and allegations by politicians and others that the agency practices selective prosecution.

Anwar plans to extend MACC chief Azam Baki’s term — Bloomberg

Malaysia Smelting Corp (KL:MSC), one of the world’s biggest tin producers, has reported disruptions to deliveries from its Port Klang smelter after a pipeline explosion interrupted gas supply, exacerbating pressure on a market already grappling with global output upheaval.

Malaysia Smelting Corp warns of disrupted tin output after gas blast

The dollar has wiped out all of its gains since Donald Trump won the presidency in November as a new wave of tariffs upended global markets.

Dollar wipes out post-Trump rally as tariffs upend global growth

Malaysia will hold a special Cabinet meeting on the US’ reciprocal tariff later on Friday, TV3 reported, citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia to hold special Cabinet meeting with BNM governor to discuss US tariff — report

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): A company director lost RM5.5 million after allegedly falling victim to a foreign exchange (forex) transaction scam.&nbsp;

Forex transaction scam: Company director loses RM5.5m

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): A slowdown in demand for goods due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs is a key downside risk for Westports Malaysia Bhd (KL:WPRTS) in 2025, according to CGS International.

Trump’s tariffs could significantly slow demand for goods, posing downside risk to Westports in 2025 — CGS International

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia has consented to the appointment of the new Malaysian ambassador to the US, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.

King consents to appointment of new Malaysian ambassador to US

China has suspended chicken products imports from two American producers, part of retaliatory measures against the US after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on the Asian nation.

China suspends imports of chicken, sorghum from some US firms

US President Donald Trump on Friday said China "played it wrong" after Beijing retaliated against new US tariffs, unveiling countermeasures that included additional duties of 34% on US goods.

"China played it wrong, they panicked — the one thing they cannot afford to do!" Trump wrote in all caps in post on his social media platform.

Trump says China 'played it wrong' in retaliation against US tariffs

Axiata Group Bhd (KL:AXIATA) on Friday announced that the longstop date to complete its Myanmar tower business divestment has been extended to June 30, 2025.

The reason was not disclosed in the exchange filing, though the extension comes following a deadly powerful earthquake last week. The share purchase agreement, signed on April 4 last year with an undisclosed buyer, was initially expected to be completed within 12 months.

Cindy Yeap, Chan Jian Ming, Ben Shane Lim and Jose Barrock